Tony Benn, veteran British Labour politician, dies aged 88

Veteran British Labour politician Tony Benn, who was born into the aristocracy but became one of Britain's pre-eminent left-wingers, has died aged 88, his family said on Friday.

Benn was a member of parliament for 50 years and a cabinet minister for 11 years.

A divisive figure at the peak of his career, in later years he became a public favourite as a straight talker.

In a statement, his four children said Benn had died peacefully early on Friday at his home in west London surrounded by his family after being seriously ill.

"We will miss above all his love which has sustained us throughout our lives," they said in the statement published by the BBC.

"But we are comforted by the memory of his long, full and inspiring life, and so proud of his devotion to helping others as he sought to change the world for the better."

Tributes from politicians of all sides were quick to flow for Benn, whose father and grandfather were politicians and whose son Hilary was a cabinet minister in the last Labour government. Benn's granddaughter Emily is also pursuing a political career.

"He was a magnificent writer, speaker, diarist and campaigner, with a strong record of public and political service," prime minister David Cameron said in a statement.

"There was never a dull moment listening to him, even when you disagreed with everything he said."

Labour leader Ed Miliband, who got an early taste of politics doing work experience with Benn, paid tribute to an "iconic figure of our age".

"He will be remembered as a champion of the powerless, a great parliamentarian and a conviction politician," he said.

For someone of such strong views, often at odds with his party, he won respect from across the political spectrum.

Labour leader Ed Miliband

"For someone of such strong views, often at odds with his party, he won respect from across the political spectrum.

"This was because of his unshakeable beliefs and his abiding determination that power and the powerful should be held to account."

Mr Miliband said that when he was a teenager, Benn was "incredibly kind" and treated him as an equal.

"I saw him for the last time a couple of weeks ago in hospital. He may have been ailing in body but was as sharp as ever in mind. As I left he said to me, 'Well, old son. Let's have a proper talk when you have more time'."

Former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown said: "Tony Benn was a powerful, fearless, relentless advocate for social justice and people's rights whose writing as well as speeches will continue to have a profound influence on generations to come."

Benn's wife Caroline died from cancer in 2000.

His son Hilary Benn is a Labour MP who has served as international development and environment secretary.